The Living Years ; Remembering Grandma

In 1989, i heard this song called 'The Living Years' by English band Mike & The Mechanics, a side-band project by Genesis member Mike Rutherford. As i was still in primary school, i was perhaps not so proficient in my English language to fully understand the lyrics to this song till i was a few years older. When i did understand it at some point, it was to be one of the most lyrically meaningful song in my life, till now and forever.

This song was a worldwide hit and deservedly so. Written by Rutherford and lead singer B.A Robertson about the loss of their fathers, it explored the theme of the gap and different perspectives between two generations, the lack of communication, non-reconciliation and eventually regret upon the death of a loved one.

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence

In the space of minutes, this song perfectly captures what most of us experience sometime or another in our lives, that we do not take time to appreciate the ones close to us till they are gone. A simple conversation turns into an argument, digging up past hurts and disagreements, strained relationships, bitterness...i myself am guilty of all that so many times over.

Today marks 8 years since my grandma passed away. This song was with me at those moments and it served as a reminder to me from then on, whenever i listen to this, that there were things that i should have done more for her and there were things i should not have done then. She loved the family and all of us, especially me. I remembered the night before she passed on, i held her hand close, she called my name and told me to study and work hard.

Till this day, i have a problem coping with death and loss. And i also believe i will have to witness more along the way as i thread through this life ahead. It is times like this that we could learn to 'say it loud, say it clear' things deep in our hearts to the people closest to us so that we will not regret not saying to them in their living years.

Listen to this song here. Enjoy the MTV and i hope everyone reading my blog will find meaning in the lyrics.

I had a vivid dream about a month after my grandma passed away. I remembered it was very clear and she was standing in front of a very bright tunnel and she said "Leong, i am going away now." I had never dreamt of her since. I also remembered she kept telling me when i was young that after she has left the world, she will not appear to me for fear that i will be afraid.

But i know she is still around, all these times...constantly watching over the family and keeping me safe everyday.

I hope to see her someday and hold her hand again...

Guitar Hero

Slash is one of the most recognisable and accomplished guitarist in modern times. Lead guitarist of Guns & Roses and now with the rock outfit Velvet Revolver. Those trademark dreadlocks, dark shades of him posed with his Gibson Les Paul, with a cigar in mouth sets him apart from other guitarists in terms of style, stage presence and not to mention his great guitar playing.

Any self-discerning rock music fan living through the late 80s and 90s will instantly and quite often reminisce about the opening riff of 'Sweet Child 'O Mine' or the lengthy, amazing two-part guitar solo in the epic 'November Rain', courtesy of Slash's great guitar technique and playing. His excellent control and phrasing just complements the songs perfectly.

Now with Velvet Revolver, Slash's excellent playing continues in the band with 2 of his ex-bandmates from Guns & Roses along with Scott Weiland, the former frontman of Stone Temple Pilots. Though i discovered the band quite late but nevertheless i am enjoying some good rock music in this band currently. Scott Weiland's strong dynamic vocals and Slash's guitar parts really stands out as i listen more and more to them. It is really Guns & Roses Mark II for me. Check out 'Get Out The Door', 'The Last Fight' and 'Messages'.

Interestingly, Slash is also featured in Guitar Hero III, the very popular guitar role-playing game garnering fans across the globe now. No sooner can every young kid, adult or elderly live out their inner rock dreams to this game. I am still waiting to lay my hands on one. Watch this nice interview from Slash himself talking about this game.

My love for music has spilled over to my toy-collecting hobby. One of my main interest is collecting music figurines and i must say, i am quite proud to be the owner of every single music figurine ever released in the world and counting. Mcfarlane Toys released this figure of Slash in 2005 and it is by far the best music figure ever released. That signature pose says just about everything that a rock star should aspire to be.


















"I've taken myself to the edges of life my way. And I'm still here."
- Slash

Quiet is Beautiful

REM is one of the biggest rock bands in the world, hailing from New Orleans, USA. While i may not be a very big fan of the band except for their singles, their album 'Automatic For The People' released in the early 1990s can be considered one of my favourite albums of all time and to many REM fans in the world, the strongest album they have ever made.

This album is very quiet, most songs starts off with guitarist Peter Buck's acoustic strums. Vocalist Michael Stipe probably wrote his best lyrics in this album. Sensitive and with meaning, this album scored several hits and the whole album sounds very coherent, bordering on themes such as mortality, death, hurt and ultimately ending off with a hopeful note.

The song 'Drive' starts off the album with a dark tone. The looping acoustic guitar line gave the song a sombre feel till Peter Buck lets loose a few crunches of the electric guitar towards the end, to a great effect. A great opening for this classic album.

'Everybody Hurts' and 'Man On The Moon' were huge singles. The first is a sweet comforting lullaby while the latter boast one of the best singles from the band with a catchy singalong chorus to boot.




One particular track stands out at the end of the album called 'Nightswimming.' A very bare track with a single repetitive piano line, lush strings and Stipe's emotive vocals and lyrics. Till this day, i may not have fully grasp the meaning of this song but i guess it is about hope. Some things are so beautiful it is better left unsaid and unexplained. Download this track here.

I was on a trip to northwestern India to the desert plains in Rajasthan last November. There were long journeys on buses and i was just taking in the beautiful simplistic sights for hours on end. The land stretches to the far end of the horizon with clear blue skies above. I was constantly listening to this REM album and many a times when 'Nightswimming' came on, i found my eyes well up and tears came streaming down my face as i think of my family back home, and of a certain someone...i hope Yuki is doing well and leading a good life now.

"Everybody hurts, sometimes everybody cries...
Everybody hurts sometimes..."